Receptacle connectable on top of a cap closure

ABSTRACT

An upper cap  1  has a thread  5  to engage with a thread  7  of a container cap closure  6.  The upper cap  1  provides a receptacle in which any required commodity can be contained such as a novelty car as shown. Clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation of the cap  1,  shown as  2  or  3,  can selectively remove the cap  1  without or with the cap  6.  A plurality of caps  1  may be connected together to form a vertical stack.

FIELD OF INVENTION

A receptacle for a cap closure enables the storage of commodities withina secure environment allowing discretionary choice for opening andresealing. Such independence of containment enables multipleapplications.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

A growing awareness of the utilisation potential of cap closures forproduct containers has resulted in applications that look to create andexpand market opportunity within all industries. The result is an arrayof closures that reflect the growing requirements of the consumermarket.

Items of a nature that support or enhance a contained product have alsobeen placed externally or separate from the container or cap structure.The result is an additional unit cost to the primary product. Whilstthis application conforms to the logic of form and function, it fails tofully utilise the opportunity that the cap structure of a containerprovides. However, limited realisation of this opportunity has resultedin the functional application of inventions that seek to modify orenhance the contained product. This is achieved through structuralmeans, dispensement or the direct physical application of an additive orsupplement. U.S. Pat. No. 4,195,730 reflects such modification of acontainer cap to allow direct application of an additive or supplementto a liquid contained within a beverage container. However thisstructure does not allow for selective choice and re-closure of the capand as with U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,491 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,918, seeksonly to incorporate a specialised cap design to act as a receptacle forcompounds that look to enhance the contained beverage product throughmodification. Selective choice for the securement and re-securement ofany article is considered an essential element for any means of storage.

Further addressing the concerns that determine the acceptable placementof a commodity, within the closure structure of a container, highlightsthe constraints that must be addressed by any application. The resultingparameters determine that items placed within an associated closure mustinitially meet the requirements of size, legislative requirement, costand quality expectations of said partnered primary product. Suchapplication must also apply vice-a-versa. Refinement must also recognisethe governance of the market requirements that determine the placementand application of commodities associated with the contained product.

Further to this, any cap structure designed to support the placement ofa commodity must be cost effective for production. As a result thedesign must incorporate current technology and construction methodologyand should endeavour to encompass current closure applications withoutmodification. However this should not exclude modification of standardcomponents of containment and closure that exist within the industry. Indoing so, the modification of existing cap components would provide easeof replication by using known technologies. With the principles ofsimple replication embodied within the design of a closure structure,the general application of any new proposal must be ensured through theadaptability for different sized and shaped containers.

Also incorporation of security features such as tamper evidenttechnologies need to be considered.

While it is recognised that a modified container cap may provide apromotional opportunity, reflected in U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,651, U.S. Pat.No. 5,361,919, U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,642 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,611, suchpromotional recognition is achieved through novelty recognition andnovelty application only. None recognise the placement opportunity for acommodity and focus instead on novelty value in respect of the closurerequirements for a container. An effective system should provide aneffective linkage with any product. A closure system may also enablesecure commodity containment within a structure that provides a means ofcollective storage. Such a means of storage supports the release ofcommodities in series or collections. A cap that provides suchcollective ability and storage opportunity would provide a chance toextend product promotion beyond the initial point of sale and into areasof passive marketing. Such ability could be undertaken through theemployment of cap structures that are able to be interlocked in aformation that creates a receptacle for placement of a commodity. U.S.Pat. No. 6,702,642 makes provision for the interconnection andstackability of caps that enable multi-variations to be applied as aconstructible toy set. However there is no provision for commodityplacement.

Ergonomic concerns are also relevant for overcap designs. U.S. Pat. No.5,813,575 discloses a modified dustcap that incorporates an internallythreaded overcap that engages the action of an associated push pull capfor the dispensing of liquid. Whilst performing a functional task thatminimises effort, the physical restrictions of many current andpotential market groups are not directly addressed.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,958 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,476 are also example ofprevious proposals of closures which would not achieve what is intendedby the present invention.

Whilst this is an area of growth to be explored further, extending thebasic principle of a closure as a receptacle for the containment ofcommodities creates further avenues of opportunity. Such opportunity isnot confined to partnerships highlighted within this initial background.

OBJECTS OF INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a receptacle which canconnect with an existing cap closure. A further or alternative object isto at least provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention a receptacle is adaptedto be removably connected or connectable with a container cap closuresaid receptacle being further adapted to receive a required item.

According to a further aspect of the present invention an assembly for acontainer includes a container cap closure and a receptacle connected orconnectable with said closure, said receptacle providing a housingwithin which an item is able to be accommodated.

Further aspects of the invention which should be considered in all itsnovel aspects will become apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: illustrates very diagrammatically one possible embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2: shows in an exploded view and very diagrammatically a furtherpossible embodiment of the present invention with the closure systemintegrated with the neck finish of a beverage container with atransparent upper-cap;

FIG. 3: shows very diagrammatically a cross sectional view of anotherpossible embodiment;

FIG. 4: shows very diagrammatically a cross sectional view of a furtherpossible embodiment;

FIG. 5: shows a cut away perspective view of a possible embodiment;

FIG. 6: shows a cut away view of another possible embodiment;

FIG. 7: shows a cut away perspective view of another possible embodimentto illustrate the securement variation of the internal environmentcreated within the cap receptacle by the closure system;

FIG. 8: shows a cut away perspective view of another possible embodimentto illustrate a variation of FIG. 7 where an upper portion of the capsystem includes a breakaway component; and

FIG. 9: shows a cut away perspective view of a further embodiment in usewith a beverage container

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of preferred embodiments is merely exemplaryin nature, and is in no way intended to limit the invention or itsapplication or uses.

The present invention generally provides a receptacle, which may beinterlocked with similar receptacles, the or each receptacle supportingthe placement of a required commodity or item. The receptacle and itsassociated closure and container may be of any suitable materials. Thereceptacle(s) enable physical separation of the item from the containedproduct. Creation of a structure with a separable nature allows fordiscretionary choice in the opening and resealing of either thecontainer or containment cap, and determines an independence thatenables the placement of commodities of designated purpose. Thisprovides opportunity for further generalised application.

The invention can provide secure containment of items or commodities ofvaried scope. These may include novelty items such as toys, games,puzzles, confectionary, snack items or apparel.

Further to this, written material of a supportive or promotional naturemay be included, as may the placement of nutritional supplements.

The invention may also provide placement of those commodities that wouldprovide enhancement of the contained product. These may be determined asthose products that provide for; preservation, colour augmentation,changes in sensory perception, viscosity change, gaseous exchange,heating, cooling, chemical composition or molecular arrangement of theproduct. It is envisioned that the cap system may provide placement forgeneral deployment of those surfactants that may enhance the containedproduct. It should be recognised that the product held within thecontainer may itself be in a form that would determine its addition toanother product as a surfactant. As such the contained product mayinitially be held in a non aqueous form. The associated cap structuremay in turn provide the necessary requirement of promotion, enhancementor informative commodity relating to the use of the contained product.

It is intended that the closure system have general application tointegrate with different sized or shaped product containers.

The utilisation potential of cap closures for beverage containersrequires that there is a shift from the generally accepted utilityapplication to create and expand market opportunity. One such shift isan embodiment of alternative functionality that generates increasedmarket share. In recognising this application the opportunity of a capsystem to place product(s) and/or object(s), deemed as commodities,within a cap structure provides greater opportunity. It is thisrecognition that is integrated into the cap system herein described.

In first determining an alternative application for a beverage cap FIG.1 illustrates the application of the linkage system that is afforded bya connecting or securement means such as a thread (4) placed on theexterior surface of the cap (1) acting as the receptacle and having achamber or compartment. The ability to link the cap structures thatcontain commodity items enable a collectable series of objects to bekept and maintained. Whilst a novelty car is used to illustrate thisexample, the substitution of this object for another commodity whetherbranded or otherwise, is easily undertaken at the determined stage ofmanufacture. Alternatively the use of a non transparent material for theformed receptacle will also allow for placement of those commoditiesthat are required to remain concealed or would otherwise be affected byexposure to light. Whatever the intention, the interlocking allows forcommodities to be moved and promoted past the point of sale.

FIG. 2 illustrates an assembly of container cap closure and receptacleon a neck finish of a container and the removal of the lower andupper-cap. The connecting means between the receptacle and the closuremay utilise threads. The screwing action to remove the caps in a singlepiece from the beverage container is shown as (3). Whilst the screwingaction required for removal of the upper portion of the cap (1) singlyis shown as (2). This highlights the determined separation of thepromotional novelty from the open beverage container achieved throughthe use of the specified thread configurations. Such threadconfiguration provides a linking structure to connect with similar capclosures and cap components. The structures that afford suchinterlocking are shown as (4) on the exterior of the upper most cap (1)and as the internal structure shown as (5).

The upper-cap functions to further enhance the primary product. Theprimary product as determined by the container and associated product ofthe invention are integrated. The physical association between theinvention and the shown container is based on the requirements of astandard neck finish for the product. Shown in FIG. (2) as (5), aclockwise plastic thread is formed on the internal surface of theupper-cap (1). This in turn is matched on the external surface of asmaller cap (6) with a supporting thread (7) allowing the union of thesetwo components. The clockwise thread not only provides opportunity forjoining the two caps, but creates an action that is contrary to themajority of common screw cap threads. This is necessary as thesmaller-cap (6) onto which the upper-cap (1) is screwed has a standardthread attachment on its internal surface that matches a standardisedneck finish. The result of these thread placements allows the removal ofboth caps from the neck finish of a standard beverage container, withoutseparating the upper and lower caps. This result is based on theassumption that the neck finish thread of the standard bottle is arecognised counter-clockwise action to remove the cap. In doing so itallows the beverage to be opened without releasing the contents of theupper-cap (1). This allows a clear distinction of separation between theprimary product and the secondary commodity held within (1). Conversely,should a clockwise screwing action be employed to remove the upper cap(1), the lower cap (6) will remain fixed to the neck finish of thecontainer.

Although the threads shown in FIG. 2 as (5) and (7) have been deemed tounscrew in a clockwise fashion, the substitution of these for a standardcounter-clockwise thread, would also be sufficient. However, such anapplication would limit the execution of separation of the primary andsecondary products as previously highlighted.

Further to the threads shown as (5) and (7), these in turn may besubstituted in consideration of structures that would afford linkingability between components of the upper (1) and lower cap (6). Saidstructures may as example be created to reflect annular processes thatprovide such interlocking ability. In turn the structure shown as (5)would incorporate a reflective engagement with (4), and as such allowthe multiplicity of cap connections to be undertaken.

Further to the lower cap (6) and upper cap (1) being removed in a singleaction, the difficulty in separating the two caps is alleviated byre-screwing the joined caps back onto the neck finish. The clockwisescrewing action will cause the upper cap to disengage as the lower capreaches its lowest extent of movement. This represents the neutralposition, in respect to the disengagement of the caps, in which the capsare placed for distribution. In undertaking this action, as previouslystated, the contents of the upper cap remain separate from the contentsof the primary container within a secure environment.

Further to the function of the over-cap as a receptacle (1),ergonomically it is an improvement in that the increased height allows ahand grip more full in nature to minimise effort and discomfort inremoving the cap from a product container.

In securing the upper-cap (1) to enclose the lower cap (6), theupper-cap shall be screwed down to the lowest extent of movement. Tamperevident technologies may provide a mechanism that secures both the upper(1) and/or lower cap (6) to the neck finish or other part of thecontainer. The leverage action generated by screwing the caps in aclockwise or counter-clockwise action will disengage the tamper evidenttechnology.

FIG. 3 illustrates the employment of the cap system to utilise andenclose an existing closure (8). By example this overcap providesopportunity to apply the cap system to an existing line of standardisedbeverage containers and the associated closure. Attachment is achievedthrough the utilisation of the pre-form lip (9) commonly found on amajority of plastic beverage containers. Said attachment is undertakeninitially through the employment of tamper evident technologies (10).Though shown as a separable section within the illustration, it will beappreciated that any number of applications of evident securement may beundertaken in the association with the pre-form lip structure. Oncereleased from the encompassed closure, the commodity retained within thecavity of the cap (11) remains secured through the placement of aninternal security seal (12) applied in the commodity placement withinthe cap. Said internal seal is shown in greater detail in FIG. 5 andFIG. 7. The nature of said internal seal is to provide separation of theretained commodity from the primary beverage product. The seal itselfmay be of a nature that is applied through induction, adhesion ormethods otherwise employed in the application of seals commonly foundwithin the beverage industry. Once the cap has been removed from theencompassed closure the seal is removed through the employment of a tabmechanism (13) or the like. That allows said seal. to be physicallyremoved from its affixed position.

Shown as (14) and (15) in FIG. 3, these structures afford interlockingbetween additional caps. The offset nature of the cap system wallsenables multiple applications of caps at the point of sale, as well asaffording post purchase storage of items such as collectablecommodities.

In FIG. 4 as with FIG. 3, the intent of the application is to utilisethe known components of existing beverage containers. In the existingclosure of a known beverage container (8), tamper evident technology(10) again provides a means of attachment and securement of the capsystem to the beverage container. In this instance the securement methodis undertaken by employing the closure as the base for attachment.Detachment of the closure system from the existing cap is undertaken byremoval of the tamper evident technology. Further to the securementexpectations of the cap system, a seal of a nature that would betransparent or otherwise (16) to afford any required promotional aspect,is affixed to close the upper open cavity of the formed receptacle. Suchaffixation may be applied through induction, adhesion or methodsotherwise employed in the application of seals commonly found within thebeverage industry. Removal of the seal provides access to the cavitywithin the cap system and provides physical identification of tamperingand disturbance. The seal is removed through the employment of a tabmechanism (13) or the like. That allows said seal to be physicallyremoved from its affixed position.

The interlinking plurality of caps as aforementioned is achieved throughthe structures shown as (18) and (17). The connective nature of (18),shown on the internal wall of the closure, also allows for thereattachment of the cap system to the beverage closure through theapplication of downward pressure once the removal of tamper evidencetechnologies (10) has provided initial release. The displacement toundertake this securement is shown as (28). The downward pressure placedupon closure allows the structure shown as (18) to seat along theunderside (29) of the known closure (8).

FIG. 5 extends the application of the closure system to incorporate andutilise known closure technology. Said closure technology shown withinthis example is a sports cap (20) of a generic design commonly availablethroughout the world. The illustrated example should be seen asrepresentative of general application closures that embody verticalribbing on the exterior surface of the closure to afford enhancedopportunity for consumers to remove said closure from a container. Theclosure system achieves connection with the generalised closure byutilising these vertical structures that are placed on the exteriorsurface (21) of said closure. The cavity (11) can have bottominter-engaging structures (22). Such mechanism of engagement with ageneralised cap closure allows greater attachment when partnered withfurther tamper evident technologies of any suitable type. Further to theenhancement of attachment afforded by the vertical structures of thegeneralised closure and the cap system, the interaction and partneredengagement of said structures allows the consumer greater leverage forthe removal of the generalised closure that seals the beveragecontainer. Such provision of height is undertaken in conjunction withthe closure system to allow a hand grip more full in nature. Similarstructures are shown on the exterior surface (23) of the closure system.This allows the interconnectivity between additional caps that wish tobe adjoined with the primary cap.

The securement of a commodity is undertaken within the cavity shown as(11). Placed during the amalgamation of cap system components, thecommodity is held in place by an internal seal (12) to provideseparation of the retained commodity from the primary beverage product.The seal itself, as aforementioned, may be of a nature that is appliedthrough induction, adhesion or methods otherwise employed in theapplication of seals commonly found within the beverage industry. Oncethe cap has been removed from the cap closure, the seal is removedthrough the employment of a tab mechanism (13) or the like. That allowssaid seal to be physically removed from its affixed position.

FIG. 6 is reflective of FIG. 4 but does not retain the requirement ofattachment to an existing closure. In this instance the attachment tothe container is undertaken directly through threaded means (19). Asaforementioned tamper evident technologies are engaged in both thesecurement of the cap system to the container and for the retention andsecurement of the placed commodity. A seal of a nature that would betransparent or otherwise (16) to afford any required promotional aspectis affixed to close the upper open cavity of the formed receptacle. Suchaffixation may be applied through induction, adhesion or methodsotherwise employed in the application of seals commonly found within thebeverage industry. Removal of the seal provides access to the cavitywithin the closure system and provides physical reflection of tamperdisturbance. The seal is removed through the employment of a tabmechanism (13) or the like. That allows said seal to be physicallyremoved from its affixed position.

The engagement of additional caps to create multiplicity andinterconnectivity is undertaken through engagement of those internal andexternal structures shown as (19) and (17).

FIG. 7 represents a likewise intent of application to FIG. 6. However,the commodity enclosed within the receptacle of cap system remainssecured through the placement of an internal security seal (12) appliedas part of the operation in commodity placement within the cap.

Once released from the encompassed closure, the commodity retainedwithin the cavity of the cap (11) remains secured through the placementof an internal security seal (12) applied in the undertaking ofcommodity placement during the manufacturing process of the cap. Thenature of said internal seal is to provide separation of the retainedcommodity from the contained product. The seal itself may be of a naturethat is applied through induction, adhesion or methods otherwiseemployed in the application of seals commonly found within the beverageindustry. Once the closure has been removed from the from the neckfinish of a beverage container, the seal is removed through theemployment of a tab mechanism (13) or the like. That allows said seal tobe physically removed from its affixed position.

In FIG. 8, similar to FIG. 7 and FIG. 5, access to the enclosedreceptacle of the closure system is achieved through the removal of theupper cap portion (1). Such removal is achieved through a mechanismshown as (24). Shown as a perforated wall within FIG. 8 saiddisengagement mechanism may also employ such technologies that willafford the separation of the closure system components. Upon removal ofthe upper section of the closure system, the upper cap may be returnedto find temporary fit with an annular arrangement that represents theremnants of attachment (26) on the surface of the lower partnered capcomponent. The upper cap portion once detached from the body of theclosure system also employs the structure (25) to engage with any numberof equivalent caps that carry the structure shown as (27).

Shown as (28), the internal seal for FIG. 8 is intended to remain inpermanent fixation with the lower section of the cap system. This is incontrast to the previous mechanism of removal highlighted within thepreceding embodiments of application. Said seal is applied during theplacement of a commodity within the receptacle cavity.

FIG. 9 illustrates applying the cap system of another embodiment toanother container and attaching to the annular lip (29) of the shownexample of beverage container. The system may have:

-   -   tamper evident technology (30);    -   structure(s) for re-attachment to the beverage container post        tamper evident removal (31);    -   internal retainment and securement seal (32);    -   internal cavity (33); and    -   attachment (34) and (31) for a plurality of cap systems to be        interlinked

Wherein the foregoing description reference has been made to specificcomponents or integers with known equivalents, then such equivalents areherein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although the invention has been described by way of example and withreference to possible embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated thatmodification and improvements may be made to the invention withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims.

1. A receptacle adapted to be removably connected or connectable with anupper portion of a container cap closure, said receptacle having firstand second substantially vertical ribbing providing respective first andsecond connecting means, said first connecting means enabling aconnection with the container cap closure and the second connectingmeans enabling a connection of the receptacle with another saidreceptacle so that a plurality of receptacles can stacked, saidreceptacle being further adapted to receive a required item.
 2. Thereceptacle as claimed in claim 1 in which the first and secondconnecting means are provided respectively on the upper exterior andlower interior walls of the receptacle.
 3. The receptacle as claimed inclaim 1 having a securement means which enables the receptacle to beremoved from a container in use with or without the cap closure.
 4. Thereceptacle as claimed in claim 3 wherein the securement means includes athreaded portion with a thread enabling the removal of the receptaclefrom the cap closure by a screwing action which is opposite to thescrewing action to remove the cap closure from the container.
 5. Thereceptacle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 including a removablesealing means closing off an open end.
 6. The receptacle as claimed inclaim 5 wherein said sealing means closes off a top end of saidreceptacle.
 7. The assembly for a container including a container capclosure and a receptacle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6connected or connectable with said closure, said receptacle providing ahousing within which an item is able to be accommodated.
 8. (canceled)